On Saturday 12th September, Grays welcome Redbridge FC to the EMR Stadium for an Isthmian North League game, just our second home league game of the season. Kick off is at 3.00pm.

Our Opponents

Known as The Motormen, they became Redbridge FC in 2004 after playing for 45 years as Ford United. The club's roots were firmly embedded in the motor industry as Ford United had been created by the merger in 1959 of Ford Sports and Briggs Sports, both of whom were created in 1934.

Last season we met The Motormen on three occasions. The first was at their Techsoc.com stadium and produced one of the games of the season with Redbridge taking a two goal lead before two second half penalties saw Blues level the game. After the second penalty, a proper dust up took place, with The Motormen's goalkeeper, Samuel Nwabuko being dismissed. However this only inspired 10 man Redbridge who went 4-2 up before Oscar Shelvey got an injury time third for The Blues.

The second game was in the Velocity Cup, again at the Techsoc, where things were a lot calmer and a decent game ended 2-2 with Redbridge winning the penalty shoot out. Redbridge went on to defeat Aveley and Crowborough Athletic before losing the semi final 2-1 to Wingate and Finchley.

Our final game was the reverse league fixture at the EMR where Redbridge deservedly won 2-0.

Last season was a successful one for Redbridge and they finished in 5th place thanks to a dramatic injury time winner in their final game, against Concord Rangers. This qualified them for the play offs. In the semi final at runners up, Felixstowe and Walton, they put on a great performance, winning 3-2. In the Final, they travelled to Stanway Rovers and after a tight game that finished goalless, lost in the cruellest way possible, on penalties.

Head to Head

For ease, I have only included games since the name change to Redbridge on 2004. From Grays perspective;
P17 W9 D3 L5 Goals for 33 Goals Against 24

In just league games;
P14 W7 D2 L5 For 28 Against 22

Since their promotion back to Isthmian North in 2023/24, Redbridge have won 4 and Grays 2 of the league encounters.

In The Dugout

Redbridge's manager is former Witham Town and Basildon United manager, Chris Taylor, who joined midway through the 2024/25 season after George Christou's departure. Chris has support from Scott Canham, Emmanuel Sackey and Stephen Walters.

Player Movements

Redbridge have kept a strong core from their successful squad last season; skipper Jack Chawner, Henry Day, Mekael Williams, Ayodeji Olukoga, Darren Esuka, Emmanuel Kwathchey, Pedro Carvalho, Rob Bagnall, Abdulai Sarr, Reuben Campbell, Louie Remi and Karl Kayembe.

Moving on were goalkeeper, Samuel Nwabuko to Bowers and Pitsea, Kai Thomas Fraser to Wingate and Finchley, Prince Sikiru to Romford and Charles Browne-Bampoe to Cambridge City. Adriano Morrison joined Woverhampton Wanderers.

Joining them for this season are Lewis Greene, Bruno Tavares, Nathan Inga, Zayshan Asamoah and ex Blue Ramiah Mills.

Early Season Form

Redbridge have made a good start to the season and visit us in 2nd place on 12 points from 5 league games played. They have enjoyed victories over Felixstowe and Walton, Bowers and Pitsea (both at home) and Gorleston and Brightlingsea Regent (away). The one blot was the loss to their new tenants, Hashtag United 4-1, having gone in at half time with a 1-0 lead and a man to the good. The loss of their skipper, Jack Chawner, to a red card early in the second half, seems to have been the turning point, with The Tags scoring all 4 goals in a 20 minute period straight afterwards.

In the FA Cup, they fell at the first hurdle going down surprisingly to London Lions 3-2. They were given a tough assignment in the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy, away at Cambridge City, losing 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Skipper Jack Chawner, Louie Remi and Bruno Tavares have all bagged three goals each, so far this season and Pedro Carvalho has added two from midfield.

Ex Blues in The Redbridge Squad

Louie Remi has had an excellent start to the season. In Blue, Louie made a great impression in 46 appearances with 10 goals. He left before last season to join Canvey Island but then moved on to the Techsoch.com stadium.
Midlfielder Karl Kayembe made 9 appearances for us in 2018/19 and 2019/20. Karl has become an ever present in The Motormen's midfield and has impressed against us in the last couple of seasons.
Ramiah Mills joined us late on last season and made 4 appearances, helping us get over the line and stay in Isthmian North. A player who has scored against us for several clubs and has already made 7 appearances for Redbridge this term.

Last Time Out

Redbridge bounced back from their defeat to tenants, Hashtag on Bank Holiday Monday, by winning away at Brightlingsea Regent. First half goals from Louie Remi and Pedro Carvalho did the damage. A second half goal from the hosts Luca Terminiello reduced the deficit but Redbridge saw the game out to get back to winning ways.

The Blues crashed out of the FA Cup in a replay against Southern League Premier Central side, Leiston who showed their class, winning 5-0. The home side went ahead early and soon doubled their lead. Grays had chances to stay in the game, but the third goal before half time effectively ended the contest. Leiston added two more in the second half, in a polished performance and now face Hitchin Town away in the 2nd Qualifying round.

Summary

This is an FA Trophy weekend so ours is one of only three league games being played in Isthmian North. On Friday evening, Lowestoft host Felixstowe and Walton and on Saturday, Mulbarton Wanderers welcome Bowers and Pitsea.

We have won our only home league game so far and Redbridge have been successful in both their away league games, so something has to give on Saturday.

The Motormen made the play offs last season and no doubt helped by the income received from Hashtag as tenants, they have been able to improve their squad again. Their aim this season will surely be the play offs at least, and who knows, perhaps a shot at the title. Players such as Pedro Carvalho, Karl Kayembe, Bruno Tavares and Louie Remi are all in good form. Their challenge will be to transfer their free flowing football from the 3G at the Techsoc.com stadium to the surface at the EMR.

The Blues have tested themselves against a good side who are likely to finish toward the top of the Southern League Premier Central, and now have a test against one of the form teams in our own division with high aspirations. It should be a cracking game.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday.

Come on you G's!